All providers of community health care should:

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff



2. Train all staff involved in the care of mothers and babies in the skills necessary to implement the policy



3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding



4. Support mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding



5. Encourage exclusive and continued breastfeeding, with appropriately-timed introduction of complementary foods



6. Provide a welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding families



7. Promote co-operation between healthcare staff, breastfeeding support groups and the local community.

To view a chart describing this process, please read How a Hospital/Maternity Facility Becomes Baby-Friendly

For the full document please visit http://www.breastfeedingcanada.ca/pdf/webdoc50.pdf